Container technology

Abstract

Receiving device (2) for insertion into a rectangular, foldable transport container (4), which has a base (8), an upper frame (22), two opposing foldable side walls (10) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving device (2), each with an upper folding axis (24), a middle folding axis (26) and a lower folding axis (28) at the level of the base (8), and two opposing hinged side walls (12) extending parallel to a transverse axis, each with a folding axis (20) arranged at the upper end of the hinged side wall (12), with at least one recess (6) suitable for receiving items to be transported, wherein, when the receiving device (2) is inserted into the transport container (4), in an area between the lower folding axes (28) and each imaginary boundary line,which runs parallel to the respective lower folding axis (28) on the base (8) of the receiving device (2), wherein a distance between the imaginary boundary line and the lower folding axis (28) corresponds to the distance between the lower folding axis (28) and the middle folding axis (26) of a foldable side wall (10), and the height of the receiving device (2) does not at any point exceed the distance between the base (8) of the transport container (4) and a lower folding axis (28).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a receiving device for insertion into a rectangular, foldable transport container, which has a base, an upper frame, two opposing foldable side walls extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving device, each with an upper folding axis, a central folding axis, and a lower folding axis, and two opposing foldable side walls extending parallel to a transverse axis of the receiving device, each with a folding axis arranged at the upper end of the foldable side wall, with at least one recess suitable for receiving objects to be transported. The invention further relates to a system comprising such a receiving device and a foldable transport container, as well as a method for transporting objects.

[0002] Foldable transport containers, especially so-called small load carriers, are widely used to transport a wide variety of items. They are characterized by their low weight and high stability, their reusability, and, in particular, their ability to be stacked and, when empty, folded for space-saving storage. They are typically made of plastic. If similar items are to be transported repeatedly in the same small load carrier, it is advisable to provide special inserts or holders adapted to the respective items. Such holders can be made of Styrofoam or another, possibly also foamed, plastic.On the one hand, they completely fill the base of the small load carrier and, on the other hand, are designed in such a way that the items to be transported can be inserted without tipping or slipping. The items to be transported are thus secured within the transport container and protected from damage during transport.

[0003] Typically, these support devices are removed from the small load carrier along with the load before it is folded, as their spatial dimensions prevent the small load carrier from collapsing. Therefore, the small load carrier and the support device must be transported separately to the next location of use. While the small load carrier itself can be folded and stacked to save space, the support devices must either be disposable and disposed of, or they must be collected separately from the small load carrier and transported to the location where the small load carrier will next be loaded. This requires a relatively large amount of space when transporting the empty small load carrier.In addition to the actual folding and re-erecting of the small load carrier, additional work steps are required in the form of removing the holding device and reinserting the holding device before the small load carrier is refilled.

[0004] DE 10 2009 036 993 B4 discloses a foldable transport container that, in addition to the foldable and collapsible side walls, has additional movable partitions inside. These divide the interior of the transport container into segments in which the objects to be transported can be held. The movable partitions can be folded flush with the floor, allowing them to remain in place even when the transport container is folded. The partitions are attached to the transport container with additional hinges, which is a complex process. Furthermore, adapting them to different objects to be transported is not possible because the partitions cannot be removed from the transport container.

[0005] It's also known to position the folding axes and lower folding axes higher up, increasing the distance between the bottom of the transport container and the lower folding axis. This provides more space for the support device when folded, but the folded transport container also takes up significantly more space than a conventional transport container.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 20 2011 108 047 U1 describes a folding box with a receiving device on its base. This receiving device is located on the underside of the base, but is not inserted into the interior of the folding box.

[0007] From the generic document DE 20 2011 050 812 U1, a receiving device for insertion into a rectangular, foldable transport container is also disclosed, which has a base, an upper frame, two opposing foldable side walls extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving device, each with an upper folding axis, a central folding axis and a lower folding axis, and two opposing foldable side walls extending parallel to a transverse axis, each with a folding axis arranged at the upper end of the foldable side wall, with at least one recess suitable for receiving objects to be transported, wherein, when the receiving device is inserted into the transport container, in an area between the lower folding axes and an imaginary boundary line running parallel to the respective lower folding axis on the base of the receiving device,Wherein a distance between the imaginary boundary line and the lower folding axis corresponds to the distance between the lower folding axis and the middle folding axis of a foldable side wall, a height of the receiving device at no point exceeds the distance between the bottom of the transport container and a lower folding axis.

[0008] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages by proposing a possibility of making transport by means of generic transport containers more efficient and simpler.

[0009] The invention solves this problem by providing a receiving device for insertion into a rectangular, foldable transport container, which has a base, an upper frame, two opposing foldable side walls extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving device, each with an upper folding axis, a central folding axis, and a lower folding axis at the level of the base, and two opposing foldable side walls extending parallel to a transverse axis, each with a folding axis arranged at the upper end of the foldable side wall. Furthermore, the receiving device comprises at least one recess suitable for receiving objects to be transported.When the receiving device is inserted into the transport container, in an area between the lower folding axes and an imaginary boundary line running parallel to the respective lower folding axis on the base of the receiving device, wherein a distance between the imaginary boundary line and the lower folding axis corresponds to the distance between the lower folding axis and the middle folding axis of a foldable side wall, a height of the receiving device at no point exceeds the distance between the base of the transport container and a lower folding axis.

[0010] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a system comprising such a receiving device and a foldable transport container and by a method comprising the steps: a. Inserting a receiving device according to one of claims 1 to 7 into a foldable transport container, b. Loading the transport container with goods, c. Transporting the transport container, d. Removal of the transported goods, e. Folding the transport container, f. Transporting the transport container, g. Setting up the transport container, h. Repeat steps b. to g., which is characterized by the fact that i. the receiving device remains in the transport container without interruption during steps b. to g.

[0011] The height of the support device is understood in particular to be the extension of the support device perpendicular to a base or floor plane of the support device. An upper frame is understood in particular to be a rectangular frame that is rigid in itself and is connected to a generally rigid floor element by means of the side walls.

[0012] A foldable side wall is understood in particular to mean a side wall that can be pivoted by a simple pivoting movement of approximately 90° around a pivot axis between a first position, in which it is parallel to the floor of the transport container, and a second position, in which it is perpendicular to the floor. The pivot axis can be in the plane of the floor or arranged on the upper frame of the transport container. For the purposes of this description, such a pivot axis is also referred to as a folding axis.

[0013] In the context of the present description, a foldable side wall is understood in particular to mean a side wall that is constructed in several parts and is folded when the transport container is folded up in such a way that the individual parts of the foldable side wall are arranged one above the other, parallel to one another and parallel to the floor in the folded position. For example, such a foldable side wall can have two wall sections that are rotatable about a central folding axis and connected to one another. The rotatable connection can be realized, for example, by means of a hinge. Furthermore, the foldable side wall is then connected to the floor of the transport container and also to the upper frame by means of a similar connection. At the level of the floor, a section of the side wall is also rotatably mounted, whereby the associated rotation axis is referred to as the lower folding axis in the context of the present description.At the level of the upper frame, a second section of the side wall is also mounted for rotation, with the corresponding rotation axis being referred to as the upper folding axis in this description. Overall, the foldable side wall can then be folded accordion-like when the transport container is folded. Many known transport containers can be folded according to this principle.

[0014] According to the invention, it is possible to fold the foldable side walls during the folding of the transport container and to bring them into their folded position without the side walls colliding with parts of the receiving device. In particular, the receiving device does not occupy any part of the space reached by the foldable side wall in the folded position. Furthermore, in this way, the receiving device does not occupy any part of the space traversed by the foldable side wall during the folding of the transport container. Furthermore, it is easily possible to design the receiving device such that the receiving device itself does not need to be manipulated during or before the folding process. In particular, it does not need to be folded up itself or folded out of the way.In other words, the holding device can have the same shape at all times, whether the transport container is in the upright or folded state. It can therefore be a completely rigid holding device, depending on the properties of the material used.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that, when inserted into the transport container, no part of the receiving device protrudes into areas formed by a cylindrical cutout whose central axis is equal to one of the two upper folding axes and whose radius is equal to the height of the foldable side walls. The foldable side walls can then be folded into the horizontal position around the folding axes located at the top of the frame without being obstructed by the receiving device.

[0016] According to a further development of the invention, a cross-section of the receiving device, which runs parallel to the foldable walls and through the bisector of the foldable walls, has two sections on each side in the outer area, running diagonally from the outside bottom to the inside top, with the outer section forming a smaller angle with the base of the receiving device than the inner section. The receiving device is thus very easy to manufacture while simultaneously maintaining sufficient stability.

[0017] If the maximum available space is to be utilized, the profile in question can be constructed from diagonal sections instead of flat sections, forming a circular arc whose radius corresponds to the height of the folding side panel and whose center or central axis coincides with the folding axis. Of course, the radius should not exactly correspond to the height of the folding side panel, but should include a small allowance to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and torsions, thus ensuring that the folding side panel cannot collide with the support device when folded.

[0018] For a particularly simple construction of the receiving device, it can be provided that the inner diagonally running section represents a flat surface that is arranged entirely in the area between the two imaginary boundary lines. In other words, the first flat diagonal section, which encloses the smaller angle with the base and is arranged directly adjacent to the foldable side wall, can then extend across the entire width, whereas the second flat diagonal section, which encloses the larger angle with the base and borders the first flat diagonal section, only extends in the area between the two imaginary boundary lines. The second flat diagonal section thus extends only into areas that are not reached by the foldable side walls during the folding process.

[0019] It is advantageous for the height of the receiving device to exceed, at least in some areas, the distance between the floor of the transport container and the lower folding axis in the area between the imaginary boundary lines. This allows for particularly good guidance and securing of the objects to be transported in the receiving device. At the same time, the space available for the receiving device in the folded state is optimally utilized, since in the folded state, there is more free height available in the area between the two folded side walls than under the folded side walls.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that, in the area between the imaginary boundary lines, the height of the receiving device at no point exceeds the sum of the distance between the base of the transport container and the lower folding axis and twice the thickness of a foldable side wall. This ensures that the receiving device does not hinder or even prevent the folding or stacking of the transport containers. The thickness of the foldable side wall is understood to mean, in particular, the dimension occupied by the foldable side wall in the folded state.

[0021] This dimension can also be determined, for example, by the thickness of the hinges. In other words, the height of the receiving device in the area between the imaginary boundary lines does not exceed the sum of the distance between the base of the transport container and the lower folding axis and the height of the foldable side wall when folded. The described design offers the possibility of designing the receiving device higher in the central area, into which the foldable side wall does not penetrate when folded, than in the outer area. When folded, the foldable side walls generally rest on the foldable side walls, so that in the central area, into which the foldable side walls do not penetrate, there is additional space for use by the receiving device.If the foldable side walls consist of two sections, as is common practice, each of which lies on top of the other when folded, the height of the additional space is just twice the thickness of one foldable side wall. This additional space can be used to secure and guide the items to be transported.

[0022] In order to be able to use the receiving device with existing standard transport containers and in particular with frequently used small load carriers, it is possible for the receiving device to be designed in such a way that the receiving device is automatically fixed in place in a slip-proof manner when inserted into a transport container, for example a standard transport container with a base area of ​​600 mm x 400 mm or 400 mm x 300 mm. This can be achieved, for example, by adapting the external dimensions of the receiving device to the internal dimensions of the transport container. Since, according to the invention, the receiving device essentially only needs to be inserted into the transport container once, the insertion process does not necessarily have to be particularly simple.For example, the holding device can be dimensioned such that it is slightly larger than the internal dimensions of the transport container and is then pressed into the transport container. This ensures that the holding device sits particularly securely in the transport container, which minimizes the risk of damage to the objects being transported. It is also conceivable, however, to glue the holding device into the transport container or to fix it in some other way. It can also be advantageous to design the holding device in such a way that it is easy to remove. The holding devices can then be easily replaced, for example if different objects are to be transported regularly in the same transport container.

[0023] The invention explicitly provides for the use of the receiving device together with any transport container. This does not require any modifications to the transport container itself.

[0024] If the transport container is designed in such a way that it is stackable both in a folded state and in an upright state, the full advantages of the invention are realized. Furthermore, such transport containers are particularly suitable for implementing the invention, i.e., for use with a receiving device according to the invention, since the so-called stacking edge in the folded transport container provides a relatively large space for the receiving device, which remains unused during conventional use of the transport container.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the following description. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective overview of a receiving device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a first schematic side view of a receiving device according to the invention, Fig. 3 a second schematic side view of a receiving device according to the invention, Fig. 4 a schematic plan view of a receiving device according to the invention, Fig. 5 a first perspective top view of a receiving device according to the invention during the folding process, Fig. 6 a second perspective top view of a receiving device according to the invention during the folding process, and Fig. 7 a perspective top view of a receiving device according to the invention in the folded state.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a perspective overview of a receiving device 2 according to the invention, which is inserted into a transport container 4. In the example shown, the transport container 4 is a conventional standard small load carrier with the dimensions 600 mm x 400 mm x 280 mm (length x width x height). The receiving device 2 has a recess 6 whose contour is adapted to an object to be transported. The bottom 8 of the transport container 4 can be seen through the recess 6. The receiving device 2 rests flat on the bottom 8 of the transport container 4. Likewise, the receiving device 2 is flush with the side walls 10, 12 of the transport container at its outer periphery. The receiving device 2 is thus fixed within the transport container so that it cannot slip. Likewise, an object to be transported (not shown) is securely fixed in the recess 6 so that it is protected from damage during transport.

[0027] It can be seen that, in contrast to conventional receiving devices, the receiving device is designed to be very flat. In particular, in a first region 34, which borders the longer side walls 10, the receiving device 4 has only a very low height, which corresponds to the distance between the bottom of the transport container and a lower folding axis, while a central region 14 protrudes at least partially somewhat further into the interior of the transport container 4 and thus exceeds the previously described low height. The height of the receiving device 4 in the central region 14 is nevertheless smaller than the sum of the distance between the bottom of the transport container and the lower folding axis and twice the thickness of a foldable side wall. In the vicinity of the shorter side walls 12, the receiving device has a first diagonal plane 16 and a second diagonal plane 18.The first diagonal plane 16 extends over the full width of the receiving device 2, whereas the second diagonal plane 18 is arranged entirely in the central region 14.

[0028] The shorter side walls 12 are the foldable side walls. They can each be pivoted about a folding axis 20 arranged on the upper frame 22. The direction of rotation of the pivoting movement is selected such that the foldable side walls 12 penetrate into the interior of the transport container. The pivoting movement ends when the foldable side walls 12 have reached a horizontal position, i.e., parallel to the floor 8 of the transport container 4. As soon as the foldable side walls 12 have reached this horizontal position, the longer side walls 10, which are the foldable side walls, can be folded. For this purpose, each of the foldable side walls 10 has three folding axes, namely an upper folding axis 24, a middle folding axis 26 and a lower folding axis 28. The middle folding axis 26 is arranged exactly halfway up the foldable side wall 10 and thus exactly in the middle between the upper folding axis 24 and the lower folding axis 28.The central folding axis 26 or a corresponding hinge (not shown) connects the upper part 30 of the foldable side wall to the lower part 32 of the foldable side wall 10. When the foldable side walls 10 are folded, the upper frame 22 automatically lowers. In the folded position, the lower part 32 of the foldable side wall rests on the first area 34 of the receiving device, and the upper part 30 of the foldable side wall in turn rests on the lower part 32 of the foldable side wall. The foldable side walls 12 then rest on the upper parts 30 of the foldable side walls 10.

[0029] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows schematic side views of the receiving device 2. In Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the receiving device 2. Furthermore, the outline of the transport container 4 is indicated. Basically, in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 that the receiving device 2 reaches its greatest vertical extent, in other words, its greatest height, in the central region and thus at a distance from the side walls 10, 12. In other words, a circumferential region adjacent to the side walls 10, 12 is lowered relative to the highest point or region of the receiving device 2. The circumferential region can have a width of, for example, at least 5% or at least 10% of the length of the receiving device.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 clearly shows that the receiving device is extremely flat in the first region 34. The first region 34 has a horizontal extension, in the illustrated case perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiving device, which approximately corresponds to the height of the upper part 30 and the lower part 32 of the foldable side wall 10, respectively. Thus, there is sufficient space to fold the foldable side wall 10 and to deposit its upper part 30 and its lower part 32 above the receiving device 2 in the first region 34.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates how the space for the pivoting movement of the foldable side walls 12 is created. Two diagonal sections, namely the first diagonal section 36 and the second diagonal section 38, can be seen on the right and left sides of the figure. By means of the diagonal sections 36, 38, a circular arc is approximated around the upper folding axis 20, so that the foldable side wall 12 pivoted about the folding axis 20 never strikes the receiving device 2 with its lower end during the pivoting movement.

[0032] The interaction of the receiving device 2 with the transport container 4 will be explained below using the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 will be further clarified. Fig. 5 shows a perspective top view of part of a transport container 4 with an inserted receiving device 2. The base 8, the upper frame 22 and the lower part 32 of a foldable side wall can be seen. Furthermore, in the left part of the figure, a foldable side wall 12 can be seen which is currently performing a pivoting movement. In the figure, the foldable side wall 12 thus assumes a first intermediate position in which it is neither completely vertically aligned nor completely horizontally aligned. During this movement, the lower edge of the foldable side wall 12 initially sweeps over the first diagonal plane 16 at a minimal distance, but without touching it. Since this process is already well advanced in the illustration, only a small portion of the first diagonal plane 16 can be seen. The second diagonal plane 18, on the other hand, is completely visible.

[0033] Fig. Figure 6 shows a snapshot in which the folding process has progressed even further. The folding side wall 12 has been pivoted even further and now penetrates even further into the interior of the transport container. Analogous to the first diagonal plane 16 in Fig. 5, the second diagonal plane 18 has now also been almost completely swept. Since the lower edge of the hinged side wall 12 moves in a circular arc, the second diagonal plane 18 can form a larger angle with the floor 8 than the first diagonal plane 16.

[0034] Fig. 7 shows the transport container 2 from the Fig. 5 and Fig.6 in the folded state. The base 8, the upper frame 22, the foldable side walls 10, the hinged side walls 12, and the receiving device 2 can be seen. Furthermore, it is clear that the transport container folds up just as small as if the receiving device 2 had been removed before folding the transport container. The receiving device therefore does not hinder the folding process in any way. In the folded state, the foldable side wall 14 rests flat on the receiving device 2, and the hinged side wall 12 rests on the foldable side wall 14.

[0035] It can also be seen that the upper frame 22 has an outer level 40 and an inner level 42, which are offset in height from each other. This creates the so-called stacking edge, into which another transport container with a complementarily designed base can engage. List of reference symbols 2 mounting device 4 transport containers 6 recess 8 Floor 10 foldable side wall 12 foldable side wall 14 central area 16 first diagonal plane 18 second diagonal plane 20 folding axis 22 upper frame 24 upper folding axis 26 middle folding axis 28 lower folding axis 30 upper part of the foldable side wall 32 lower part of the foldable side wall 34 first area of ​​the receiving device 36 first diagonal section 38 second diagonal section 40 outer level 42 inner level

Claims

[1] Receiving device (2) for insertion into a rectangular, foldable transport container (4), which has a base (8), an upper frame (22), two opposing foldable side walls (10) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receiving device (2), each with an upper folding axis (24), a central folding axis (26) and a lower folding axis (28) at the level of the base (8), and two opposing foldable side walls (12) extending parallel to a transverse axis, each with a folding axis (20) arranged at the upper end of the foldable side wall (12), with at least one recess (6) suitable for receiving objects to be transported, wherein, when the receiving device (2) is inserted into the transport container (4), in an area between the lower folding axes (28) and an imaginary boundary line,which runs parallel to the respective lower folding axis (28) on the bottom (8) of the receiving device (2), wherein a distance between the imaginary boundary line and the lower folding axis (28) corresponds to the distance between the lower folding axis (28) and the central folding axis (26) of a foldable side wall (10), a height of the receiving device (2) at no point exceeds the distance between the bottom (8) of the transport container (4) and a lower folding axis (28). [2] Receiving device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that when inserted into the transport container (4), no part of the receiving device (2) projects into areas which are each formed by a cylinder cutout whose central axis is equal to one of the two upper folding axes (24) and whose radius is equal to a height of the foldable side walls (12). [3] Receiving device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat a cross-section of the receiving device (2), which runs parallel to the foldable side walls (10) and through the area bisector of the foldable side walls (12), has on each side in the outer area two sections (36, 38) running diagonally from the outside bottom to the inside top, wherein the respective outer section (36) forms a smaller angle with the base (8) of the receiving device (2) than the respective inner section (38). [4] Receiving device (2) according to claim 3, characterized by that the inner section (38) represents a flat surface which is arranged entirely in the area between the two imaginary boundary lines. [5] Receiving device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the area between the imaginary boundary lines the height of the receiving device (2) exceeds the distance between the bottom (8) of the transport container (4) and the lower folding axis (28) at least in some areas. [6] Receiving device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the area between the imaginary boundary lines the height of the receiving device (2) at no point exceeds the sum of the distance between the bottom (8) of the transport container (4) and the lower folding axis (28) and twice the thickness of a foldable side wall (10). [7] Receiving device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving device (2) is designed in such a way that it is automatically fixed in a slip-proof manner when inserted into a transport container (4), for example a standard transport container (4) with a base area of ​​600 mm x 400 mm or 400 mm x 300 mm. [8] System comprising a foldable transport container (4) and a receiving device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] System according to claim 8, characterized bythat the transport container (4) is designed such that it is stackable both in a folded state and in an erected state. [10] A method for transporting objects, comprising the steps of: a. Inserting a receiving device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7 into a foldable transport container (4), b. Loading the transport container (4) with transport goods, c. Transporting the transport container (4), d. Removal of the transported goods, e. Folding the transport container (4), f. Transporting the transport container (4), g. Setting up the transport container (4), h. Repeat steps b. to g., characterized by , that i. The receiving device (2) remains in the transport container (4) without interruption during steps b. to g.

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